Thank you for visiting this website, created in the memory of our loved one, Daniel Firman(25), who was born in Flint, MI. on Nov. 17, 1983.

It is a blessing to us that you visited this website. Please go ahead and light a candle, add a picture of Dan, write a tribute, or just browse through the entries. Dan is a fine Christian young man who is worth being missed and remembered ♥

Dan went to Heaven on August 20, 2009, along with friends and coworkers, Aaron & Chis Hunley (16 & 17) and Drew Erickson (17). They all died as a result of severe injuries from a head-on collision with a semi, which suddenly came into their lane. The semi incredibly demolished the one-ton company pickup truck that the four young men were in. Dan, Chris, Aaron, and Drew had just left a job site, and they were on their way back to the shop, driving on U.S. 31 in Petoskey, MI. (Semi with pickup truck in front photo- Petoskey News Review, crosses at accident site and pickup truck photos - T. Firman)

Dan's loved ones include: his wife (Erin) of two years, an unborn son (Mark), father & mother (Dennis & Tammy), two brothers (Dave & Chris), grandparents (Richard & Shirley, Bill & Alice), and many additional family members, friends, and coworkers. He is loved more than words can describe and will be remembered as one who lived a life that was pleasing to God ♥

Dan, Aaron, Chris, and Drew had all accepted Christ as their Savior; they are now in Heaven with the Lord. John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT A CHILD WHO LOSES A PARENT IS AN ORPHAN. A MAN WHO LOSES HIS WIFE IS A WIDOWER. A WOMAN WHO LOSES HER HUSBAND IS A WIDOW. THERE IS NO NAME FOR A PARENT WHO LOSES A CHILD, FOR THERE ARE NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE THIS SORROW.

GOD HATH NOT PROMISED SUN WITHOUT RAIN, JOY WITHOUT SORROW, PEACE WITHOUT PAIN.

BUT GOD HATH PROMISED STRENGTH FOR THE DAY, REST FOR THE LABOR, LIGHT FOR THE WAY,

GRACE FOR THE TRIALS, HELP FROM ABOVE, UNFAILING SYMPATHY, UNDYING LOVE."

Dan wanted to name the baby his favorite boy name if it was a boy, and he was SURE that the baby was a boy. The accident happened before the date of the ultrasound, that showed that indeed he had a son! Dan was VERY exited about being a father and told everyone he met.

Daniel's Son

Quotes Handwritten in Daniel's Bible

"Where God guides, He will provide."

"The winds of God are always blowing, but you must set the sails."

"You get out of life what you put into it."

"A bible that is falling apart, normally belongeth to one who isn't."

"The bible does not need to be re-written, it needs to be re-read."

"No reserves, no retreats, no regrets."

"Devotion turns duty into delight."

"It's not about us, but about others."

"Never give place to the devil because he will want to drive."

"If the preacher will fill the pulpit, then God will fill the pews."

"God directs men with simplicity; the devil directs men with complexity."

"Backsliding is a nice word for rebellion."

"Commitment is a decision, not an emotion."

"You can get to big for God, but you can't get too small."

"What you do in life is more important that what you have."

"Everyone want to go to Heaven, but no one wants to live like they are going to Heaven."

"If it is not daily, it's not discipleship."

"Spirit fullness requires brokenness."

"When God leads you to it, he will lead you through it."

"I'm a nobody, telling everybody, about somebody, who will save anybody."

"God's not looking for people who can, God's looking for people who will."

Our family has choose hope over despair as we now go on living without our beloved Daniel. We did not have a chance to say good-bye to Daniel, but we will be able to say "hello" someday in Heaven. Dan had planned on using his degree in pastoral theology & working in the ministry, and having four children, but God had other plans. We do not understand; God sees the big picture, so we trust Him and then we do not have to understand.

Isaiah 26:4 Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Psalms 115:11 Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.

Dan was an ordained minister and he married his younger brother Chris, on May 30, 2009. Chris and Jill had a beautiful wedding ♥ (photo above)

Our love for Dan will never die; it lives on in our hearts. We will never get over Dan's death, but we can get through it. Our faith in God is strong and we know that Dan would want us to go on living until we see him again.

Dan, Chris, Aaron, and Drew went directly to Heaven, from US 31 in Petoskey, Mi. at 4:20 p.m. What might happen to "other people" happened to our families. We got the phone call that no one wants to get. The accident was the worst in our county EVER and it was one of the top news stories of 2009 in our area. Our comfort is in knowing that the guys went to Heaven FOR SURE.

Jesus said that you can be 100% sure that you will go to Heaven when you die.

First: You have to admit that you are not good enough to get yourself to Heaven. “For there is none...good, no, not one,” it’s “not by works...which we have done,” and “all have sinned.” At least, that’s what the Bible says. (Rom. 3:12, Titus 3:5, Rom. 3:23)

Next: Because we’ve sinned, we have to pay for breaking God’s law. “The wages of sin is death.” “All liars...shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire.” That lake of fire is hell. (Rom. 6:23; Rev. 21:8)

Then: Jesus has already paid your debt of sin by dying for you, and He wants to give you eternal life. Just believe that His blood alone can save you. Repent of your sins and ask Him to forgive you, and He promised He would. (Acts 20:21)

Finally: Just take God at His Word. He can’t lie. He’s God. Believe Jesus’ payment for your sin is the only way to Heaven, and you can say, “I am 100% sure I’m going to Heaven - because God said so!”

Just pray: Jesus, I admit I’m a sinner going to hell. I can’t save myself. I believe that your sacrifice has paid for my sins. I want to receive you as my Saviour, and I trust you to take me to heaven. Thank you for saving me! In Jesus' name, amen.

We know the pain and sorrow from letting go, but we have peace because we have put our trust and faith in God. Through it all - God's been good ♥

D – is for devoted husband, son, brother ...A – is for active N – is for nice I – is for intelligent E – is for evangelistic L – is for loving

F – is for fine I – is for incredible R – is for reached people for Christ M – is for manly A – is for awesome N – is for new birth (saved)

My Best Friend and Hero / Chris Firman (Brother)
Dan,I love you. Wasn't long ago we were jumping up and down on the keys of the old piano in the basement or fighting over who got to lick the spatula or the bowl. I miss the times we spent building forts out of four chairs and a blanket, riding our b...
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I Will Love You Forever / Tammy Firman (Mother)
Dan lived a life that was pleasing to the Lord and he died with a good name. He was a wonderful son, husband, brother, uncle, grandson, Sunday school teacher, bus caption, employee, friend, and soul winner. He was an ordained preacher and he wanted...
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Soccer Team - Five in Heaven / Tammy Firman (Mom)
How would anyone have known when this picture was taken that in just a short time 5 of the young men would be in Heaven.
It goes to show that no one should wait to accept the Lord as their Savior. Death came as a surprise to Dan (left) Kevin (by Da...
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Dan went to Mexico on a missions trip in March, 2006. He preached, told others about the Lord, and helped build a new church building.

From Dan's Bible

Most of us spend our lives seeking our destiny,

One man created his own.

It began in a manger and led to a cross,

and it included you.

You too have a destiny, and someday...

someday soon,

your destiny will cross with His.

Grandparents, Parents, Dan & Brothers

Should You Go First

Should You Go First

Should you go first and I remainTo walk the road aloneI'll live in memory's garden dearWith happy days we've known.In spring I'll wait for roses redWhen fades the lilac's blue;In early fall when brown leaves callI'll catch a glimpse of you.

Should you go first and I remainFor battles to be foughtEach thing you've touched along the wayWill be a hallowed spot.I'll hear your voice I'll see your smileThough blindly I may grope.The memory of your helping handWill buoy me on with hope.

Should you go first and I remainTo finish with the scrollNo length'ning shadows shall creep inTo make this life seem droll.We've known so much happiness;We've had our cup of joy;And memory is one gift of GodThat death cannot destroy.

Should you go first and I remainOne thing I'd have you do:Walk slowly down the path to HeavenFor soon I'll follow you.I'll want to know each step you takeThat I may walk the sameFor someday down that lovely roadYou'll hear me call your name.

-Albert Kennedy Rowswell (adapted)

I Had to Change His Route

Standing there in shock and disbelief, with my mind and heart assaulted by overpowering grief, I struggled hard to find a way to bring at least some relief, to those attached to this life of Dan's with us so brief.

My prayer was for the grace of God in such an hour, to be present here to lead to help and to give power. And somehow there midst the wreckage bloomed that subtle flower; not bursting on like a torrential rain, but coming on slow like a spring shower.

Oh the pace was hectic there as the men were racing all about, but even midst the hurried pace, the grace of God had come without a doubt. Now 'twasn't like a loud strong command by sergeant bellowed out, but a still small voice that simply and lovingly said, "I had to change his route."

This route of life began for him while but a little boy, and it did not end as thought returning home from Charlevoix, for the Father knowing His choice to be not just a ploy, but that through the pain of death can come the birth of lasting joy.

God's heart too knows that pain you all most surely feel, for his heart too felt agony and loss there on the cruel cross so real. His son was given as the price for redemption's purchase to seal, and Dan's life too was given that some other soul's might heal.

For the call of God upon his life was that, he the gospel should preach that by proclaiming God's Word some other souls - he might reach. Now so many lessons from his life so short, to us our God might teach of sacrificial living and care for others a choice still open to us each.

To the family that is left here behind, you each hold a great treasure of his life. You dear one given to Dan in a special role, as a new mother and his darling wife, and to you dear mother and father, his conversation of you was admiration rife, and the love of his brothers 'tis the kind found spoken of in God's Holy Two-edged Knife.

For the testimony of life that Dan lived without malice nor anger nor pout, has garnered the attention of so many this day 'tis enough to cause one to shout, especially so should some other travelers along life's highway be caused to turn about, then it truly would be worth our hearing the Heavenly "For this - I had to change his route."

Written in loving memory of Brother Daniel Firman, to the family and friends he preceded to Heaven. Someday we will have to ask him what it was like to see the highway change to the golden street. I love him and will treasure also the memories of the time God allowed me to share him with you.